PM Modi congratulates world champ Sindhu, Rijiju presents ₹10 lakh cheque

Newly-crowned badminton world champion PV Sindhu on Tuesday (August 27) met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called her India’s pride.

Sindhu defeated Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara 21-7 21-7 in the final of the World Championships in Basel, Switzerland on Sunday (August 25) to become the first Indian to claim a gold at the showpiece.

The Hyderabadi had won two silvers and an equal number of bronze medals in the previous editions.

Also read: Sindhu scripts history, becomes 1st Indian to win World Championship

“India’s pride, a champion who has brought home a Gold and lots of glory! Happy to have met @Pvsindhu1. Congratulated her and wished her the very best for her future endeavours,” Modi tweeted after the meeting.

Sindhu was accompanied by Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and national coach Pullela Gopichand among others during the meeting.

She has also been presented a cheque of ₹10 lakh for her historic triumph by Rijiju.

Also read: World champion Sindhu returns home to hero’s welcome

She returned to the country on Monday (August 26) night and was welcomed by a large gathering of fans at the airport. “I am really happy, I am very proud of my country. It’s a much-awaited win and I am very happy about it,” she said in response to media queries at the airport.

Also present on the occasion were Badminton Association of India president Himanta Biswa Sarma, coaches Pullela Gopichand and Kim Ji-Hyun and Sindhu’s father PV Ramana, a former bronze medallist in volleyball at the 1986 Asian Games.

The minister also extended his congratulations to Sai Praneeth besides rewarding him with a cheque of Rs 4 lakh for winning a bronze medal at the championships, India’s first men’s singles medal at the worlds since Prakash Padukone’s feat in 1983.

(With inputs from PTI)